OTT platforms in India undergo a ban during a purge focused on inappropriate content
In a significant move to regulate digital content, the Indian government has taken action against at least 25 Over-The-Top (OTT) platforms, blocking up to 43 in total. The decision comes in response to streaming services providing obscene, pornographic, and culturally offensive content that violates Indian laws.
The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) has directed Internet Service Providers (ISPs) to block access to these platforms, including well-known names like ALTBalaji, Ullu, Desiflix, and Big Shots. The banned content was primarily characterized by sexually explicit scenes, nudity, vulgar dialogues, and indecent representation of women, often lacking meaningful storylines or social messaging and allegedly targeting young audiences.
This crackdown is part of a broader effort to enforce stricter digital content regulation. The government aims to prevent obscene and pornographic material online, implement age-based content classification by OTT platforms, and ensure compliance with laws protecting gender dignity and cultural values.
The blocking action is backed by several legal provisions, including Section 67 and 67A of the IT Act and the 2021 IT Rules that hold OTT platforms responsible for monitoring and regulating content. This move signifies India’s push towards establishing clear regulatory boundaries in digital entertainment, reducing explicit content distribution, and ensuring platforms are accountable for the content they host.
Under the IT Act 2000 and the Digital Media Ethics Code Rules 2021, platforms are legally bound to remove or prevent access to content deemed obscene, offensive, or harmful. The government's new draft broadcasting bill proposes establishing a central authority to oversee digital content and strengthen grievance mechanisms.
Notably, this isn't the first time the government has intervened. Earlier in 2024, 18 OTT platforms, 19 websites, and multiple app storefronts and social media accounts had already been disabled for hosting similarly objectionable content. The authorities identified these platforms sharing soft pornographic content marketed under the guise of erotic entertainment.
Critics, including women's rights bodies, have welcomed the move, arguing it is long overdue given increasing concerns about the content's impact on youth and social values. Elected representatives and advocacy groups have publicly supported the crackdown on OTT platforms. If platforms fail to comply, they can face criminal action and lose their legal protection.
Some of the blocked OTT services include ULLU, ALTT (formerly ALTBalaji), Desiflix, Big Shots App, Boomex, Navarasa Lite, Gulab App, Kangan App, MoodX, NeonX VIP, Mojflix, ShowX, Sol Talkies, Adda TV, Feneo, Hitprime, Bull App, Jalwa App, Wow Entertainment, Look Entertainment, Fugi, and Triflicks. The Indian government has ordered the blocking of access to these platforms and associated mobile apps. ISPs have been instructed to enforce city-wide blocking of the listed services.
Platform owners may face further legal consequences or sanctions under Indian law. The authorities' message is clear: India's evolving digital policy is geared toward ensuring content alignment with national legal standards and social norms. This sweeping ban reflects an intensifying focus by lawmakers on regulating digital content spaces.
Social media platforms and entertainment services, such as ULLU, ALTT (formerly ALTBalaji), Desiflix, and Big Shots, have facedblocks due to their content's explicit nature and lack of adherence to Indian laws, including Section 67 and 67A of the IT Act and the 2021 IT Rules. In response, the government advocates for stricter digital content regulation, aiming to prevent the distribution of obscene material, implement age-based content classification, and protect cultural values.
